The idea that consuming calcium-containing cows milk products is required to sustain healthy bones is quickly fading, as new research continues to unravel one of the food market’s biggest myths.

Extensive reporting by Natural News reveals that humans are the only mammals to continue drinking milk past infancy, and that there are actually other sources of nutrition more sufficient for building healthy bones.

A recent study published in The BMJ adds to that theory, suggesting that processed cows milk consumption doesn’t prevent fractures that are often linked to osteoporosis, a condition involving brittle bones that affects 40 million Americans.

More than 200 million people suffer worldwide from osteoporosis, with the majority of them being women over 60. The most concentrated cases exist in Europe, North America and Japan, all of which consume a significant amount of dairy.

Researchers from Sweden, one of the countries that consume the most dairy per capita, examined the lifestyles and diets of more than 100,000 Swedes dating back as far as 1987 and tracking them until their death, or until Dec. 31, 2010.

The results showed that drinking milk did not reduce bone fractures, and those who drank the most milk where likely to die younger than their counterparts

The data used to reach this conclusion were based on two previous studies, including diet surveys answered by more than 61,000 women between 1987 and 1990. Among them, less than 40,000 of them filled out a more detailed diet survey in 1997. Diet questionnaires completed by more than 45,000 Swedish men were also analyzed, confirms the LA Times.

Not only did the study’s results dispel the myth that drinking milk helps prevent bone fractures, but the more milk women drank, the more fractures they had.

More than 17,000 women suffered from some type of fracture, with more than 4,000 of them being hip fractures. The women who drank at least three glasses of milk per day were 16 percent more likely to break a bone, and 60 percent of the avid milk drinkers were more likely to have a hip fracture.

Regimented milk drinkers were 93 percent more likely to die during the study than their counterparts. Those who drank three or more glasses a day were 90 percent more likely to die of cardiovascular disease and 44 percent more likely to die of cancer, compared with women who drank just one glass of milk a day.

Men also experienced a higher risk of death and fractures in conjunction with higher milk consumption, but the distinction was less pronounced than in women.

“Our results may question the validity of recommendations to consume high amounts of milk to prevent fragility fractures,” said the study’s lead researcher, Professor Karl Michaelsson. While scientists say more studies are needed before making any definitive dietary recommendations, they agree that the role of milk in the U.S. needs to be reevaluated.

Sugar in milk causes aging mice

The risk of early death is likely linked to D-galactose, which is produced by the body as it breaks down the sugar found in milk. Previous studies show that chronic exposure to this nutrient induces “oxidative stress damage, chronic inflammation, neurodegeneration, decreased immune response, and gene transcriptional changes,” scientists say.

D-galactose is known to mimic the effects of aging.

Consuming fermented products like yogurt is associated with lower risk for death and fractures

Women with high intakes of fermented dairy products like yogurt, cheese, butter and sour cream experienced lower rates of fractures and premature death than women who consumed less of these products.

Continued research on this subject is expected to change the way our country perceives milk consumption. Some experts are adamant that milk consumption is directly correlated with osteoporosis. After all, Europe and North America both have high rates of milk consumption, directly correlated with high incidences of hip fractures and disease, says The BMJ.

You don’t have to spend another dime buying chemicals to put on your face. Everything you need to create a healthy, beneficial, facial mask can be found in your kitchen.

Honey is an antibacterial that has been used throughout the ages to dress wounds. It is an excellent choice to use on troubled skin by itself or as a base with other ingredients.

Always choose organic, raw honey.

Masks can be left on for up to 30 minutes, although some people put up with the mess to leave them on overnight. After that time, rinse thoroughly and use coconut oil as a moisturizer if your skin feels too dry.

Honey Mask Recipes for Facials:

Cinnamon and Honey
Two tablespoons of honey to one teaspoon of cinnamon. Cinnamon is also an antimicrobial. You can also use a 1:1 ratio for short or overnight spot treatments.

Yogurt and Honey
Use a 1:1 ratio. Be sure to use plain, whole- fat yogurt. This mask is very nourishing to the skin.

Strawberries and Honey
Mash up strawberries and mix with honey with a roughly 1:1 ratio. Strawberries are high in salicylic acid and vitamin C, providing nourishment for the skin along with opening and shrinking pores.

Avocado and Honey
Mash one avocado and add one tablespoon of honey. Mix well. This is a nutrient rich mask.

Lemon and Honey
Use a 1:1 ratio. Vitamin C from the lemon nourishes the skin and fights infection and lemon tones the skin as well. (You can also use straight lemon juice for spot treatments).

Turmeric, Milk, and Honey
Turmeric has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Use 4 tablespoons turmeric to 4 tablespoons honey. Add 1 tablespoon of milk or yogurt. Turmeric will leave the skin yellow. Use any astringent (like lemon or apple cider vinegar) to remove the yellow tinge.

Other masks to help clear your skin blemishes
Egg whites– Whip and apply. Egg whites are said to help fade acne scars and to help with breakouts due to the protein and vitamins they contain. They also help curtail excess sebum.

Papaya–Mash and apply. The enzyme, papain, helps to reduce inflammation and prevent infection.

Orange peel–Grated, mashed peel with water or mix with aloe vera. The citric acid works as an astringent while the vitamin C helps promote new healthy cell growth.

Oatmeal – make one serving of oatmeal and add 1 tablespoon of raw honey. Use after it completely cools. This is a mask to reduce inflammation and to soothe the skin; it is not a mask that will kill bacteria.

To truly heal your skin, you must treat more than the outside (the symptoms); you must treat the cause. A full healing will involve detoxing, balancing the gut and eliminating Candida, eating a very healthy diet, and balancing your hormones (men, women).

Traditional plant breeding techniques are dramatically outperforming genetic modification in the quest to develop crop verities that can be grown in more marginal conditions, according to researchers from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Mexico City.

Researchers have expressed concern that, as global warming leads to higher temperatures and lessened rainfall, more and more food crops will need to be drought-resistant. For example, drought has been shown to reduce corn yields in African by as much as 25 percent.

In addition, ongoing degradation of topsoil and rising chemical agriculture costs are driving a need for crops that can better tolerate nutrient-poor soils.

New, non-Genetic Modification varieties have 30 percent higher yield

In 2006, the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa project was launched, in partnership with CIMMYT and the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture in Ibadan, Nigeria. Researchers searched CIMMYT’s seed bank for drought-tolerant corn varieties, then crossed these varieties. These new varieties were then cultivated, and seed was saved from the most drought-tolerant individuals. That seed was then grown and crossed with other corn varieties already known to thrive in Africa.

“It is a painstaking and expensive process,” said Kevin Pixley, director of CIMMYT’s genetic resources program.

In spite of the difficulty of the process, the project has already developed 153 new corn varieties suitable for cultivation in 13 countries. Field trials have shown that, under good rainfall conditions, these varieties match or surpass the yield of existing crop varieties. Under drought conditions, the new varieties outperform existing varieties by as much as 30 percent.

According to recent analysis, published in The Journal of Developing Areas, the extra yields from these 153 varieties could reduce the number of people living in poverty by 9 percent in the 13 countries. This would amount to more than half a million people in Zimbabwe alone.

In contrast, CIMMYT’s efforts to produce drought-resistant genetically modified (GM) corn (in collaboration with six other research groups and Monsanto) have yet to produce a single viable variety. That’s because most plant traits, including drought tolerance, involve multiple genes. Genetic engineering technology is only able to work on a single gene at a time.

Reducing fertilizer dependence

CIMMYT has also been working to develop corn varieties able to tolerate nitrogen-poor soils. According to CIMMYT corn breeder Biswanath Das, one of the biggest problems African farmers have is that they are only able to afford about 10 percent of the fertilizer recommended for their fields.

Globally, soil quality is diminishing and topsoil is vanishing. Indeed, a study conducted by researchers from the University of Sydney and presented at the Carbon Farming conference in 2010 found that all the topsoil on Earth will be gone by 2110, if farming practices do not change. Factors contributing to soil depletion include overuse of synthetic fertilizers, overuse of plowing and poor erosion control. All of these factors are reported to be intensified by global warming and are expected to contribute to a food crisis as the planet’s population continues to grow.

Since 2010, CIMMYT researchers have been working on the Improved Maize for African Soils (IMAS) project in collaboration with the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, the South African Agricultural Research Council and DuPont Pioneer to develop new corn varieties. The IMAS project uses both conventional breeding and genetic engineering to try and develop corn varieties that can thrive in nitrogen-poor soil.

In just four years, IMAS has already developed 21 such varieties through conventional breeding techniques suitable for eight countries. Field trials show that in nitrogen-poor soil, these varieties produce an extra metric ton of yield per hectare than currently available varieties.

Yet IMAS researchers say that a GM corn variety suitable for nitrogen-poor soil is still at least 10 years away.

Enjoying a healthy diet on a regular basis not only helps the body function internally but can help it be at its best outwardly. For example, dry skin or brittle nails not only end up acting as a source of embarrassment for some but also may be indicators that underlying health issues are at hand.

However, it’s possible to correct such issues and improve hair, skin and nails naturally by simply by eating foods that can help turn these conditions around.

For example, according to the Mayo Clinic, nails with a yellow tinge may mean that chronic bronchitis is affecting an individual. If there are indentations running horizontally on the nail, the issue can range from a zinc deficiency to pneumonia.

Nails

It’s likely that the solution to help improve nails exists right in people’s own homes; foods known to boost overall nail health include pumpkin seeds, garbanzo beans and flax seed oil.(1) Of course, they’re good for the immune system too, helping the body function better.

Hair

When it comes to hair, many people often complain of it lacking luster, seeking more vibrance and “life.” Rather than turn to pricey shampoos likely laden with harmful chemicals, or trying the too-good-to-be-true infomercial products, there are other, more natural methods that can help.

Tara Sowlaty, a natural foods chef and registered health coach, says that eating more walnuts, lentils, spinach and sweet potatoes are great ways to keep scalp oils circulating and renewing hair growth cells, resulting in stronger, healthier-looking locks.(2) Just like foods that help improve nail health, these foods too are healthy choices regardless of hair condition; regular consumption of them keeps the body functioning optimally.

Castor oil is another way to bolster hair health. It’s been drawing a great deal of attention lately, with many people noting that massaging it on the scalp and leaving it in the hair for just a few times a month amounts to not only increased hair growth but noticeably shiner strands as well.(3)

Skin

As for dry skin, many times, a vitamin deficiency is behind the reason for itching, cracking, flaking and resulting redness. Foods such as tomatoes and cantaloupe help skin retain moisture; broccoli and oranges help restore skin’s elasticity, and bananas and avocado improve cracking, especially around the corners of the mouth.

We all want to live a long life, but did you know eating these simple foods has been proven scientifically to prevent and in some cases reverse the #1 cause of death in the modern world?

Statistically, atherosclerosis (the progressive clogging of the arteries) is the #1 killer on the planet. A complex process, involving autoimmunity, infection, dietary incompatibilities, and many known and unknown factors, it is – despite conventional medical opinion – entirely preventable, and in some cases reversible.

Here is the peer-reviewed, published research proving the fact:

1. B Vitamins
Yes, something as simple as adding a source of B-complex to your regimen can prevent the juggernaut of heart disease from taking your life prematurely. A doubled-blind, randomized study, published in 2005, in the journal Atherosclerosis found that a simple intervention using 2.5 mg folic acid, 25 mg Vitamin B6, and 0.5mg Vitamin B12 for 1 year, resulted in significant reductions in arterial thickness (as measured by intima media thickeness).[1] Even niacin or folic acid alone has been show to have this effect in patients. [Note: Always opt for natural sources of the B-group vitamins, including probiotic supplementation (which produce the entire complement for you), or a whole food extract, versus synthetic or semi-synthetic vitamins which, sadly, predominate on the market today.

2. Garlic
As we have documented extensively previously, garlic can save your life. Garlic has been found to regress plaque buildup in the arteries, among many other potentially life-saving health benefits.

3. Pomegranate
This super healing fruit has been found to regress plaque buildup in the arteries,[7]-8] as well as being demonstrated to provide , including replacing the function of the mammalian ovary!

4. Fermented Cabbage
Kimchi, a Korean recipe, which includes fermented cabbage, hot pepper, and various other ingredients, including fermented fish, appears to stall the atherosclerotic process in the animal model.[9] Additionally, strains of good bacteria in kimchi have been found capable of degrading toxic chemicals that can additional bodily harm.

5. L-Arginine

This amino acid is capable of preventing arterial thickening – up to 24% reduction! — in the animal model.[10]-[11]We have done an extensive literature review on arginine supplementation and have found that in over 30 studies demonstrating this fact addition to 150 known health benefits, it is capable of addressing the underlying dysfunction associated with cardiovascular disease: endothelial dysfunction, with no less than 20 studies proving this fact.

6. Turmeric
(Curcumin): the primary polyphenol in the Indian spice turmeric known as curcumin has been found to be an excellent cardioprotective, with over 30 studies demonstrating this fact. One study found that curcumin prevented damage to the arteries associated with blockage (neointima formation).[12]

7. Sesame Seed
Probably one of the most underappreciated super foods on the planet, sesame seed, which we have shown is as effective as Tylenol for arthritic pain, may be an excellent cardioprotective substance, ideally suited for preventing the progression of atherosclerosis. One animal study found it was capable of preventing atherosclerosis lesion formation.[13]

This is a small sample of evidence-based natural interventions for cardiovascular disease prevention and/or regression. We have a much larger set of studies on over 200 natural substances capable of reducing the risk of heart attack and related heart disease related conditions.

Remember, heart disease is not a natural process, that we must accept as inevitable based on family history of an outdated gene-based model of human disease risk. Our daily decisions, especially regarding what we decide we are going to eat or do not eat, are first and foremost. We can use food as medicine, sloughing off the pharmaceutical industry meme that we need statins to stave off the ‘inevitable.’ Take back control of your health with nutrition, and realize that food is the only medicine that will both nourish us and heal our bodies in a way that will produce lasting health.

While the meat packers kill the “24 hour sickness” with chemicals so you won’t get it, your cells are being destroyed and mutated by industrial chemicals NEVER meant for mankind to consume.

The conventional meat industry is SO POLLUTED that they have to bleach the meat to kill bacteria, viruses and especially E-coli and Salmonella. This goes for infected cows, chickens, turkeys, pigs, and even fish that are shot up with artificial growth hormones and antibiotics. Ammonia is also used for the same reasons.

Flavors and color are easily added back in using MSG, red dyes, nitrates, and other poisons on top of the fact that you’re eating TOXIC meat from animals that most likely led horrendous lives full of pain, misery and shock upon their day of death.

For the most part, meat is “murder” in the US and the fast food and restaurant chain junkies are oblivious, until the oncologists and heart specialists break the “bad news,” and that’s if they ever do.

#1) Ammonia at the Factory equals Cancer at Home – Should you be asking the US food industry key questions or just boycotting meat altogether?
Have you ever smelled ammonia and been drawn back quickly, as if you’ve taken a whiff of some smelling salts? You probably know the potent industrial chemical smell from glass and window cleaning products.

The federal school lunch program uses over 5 million pounds of ammonia-injected beef trimming each year. The ammonia “sterilizes” the beef and kills some pathogens, but E. coli and salmonella still contaminate cow-derived products and the USDA has been hiding this industrial chemical ingredient from public awareness.

Become aware! – that ammonia changes DNA cell structure in humans and warps cells, fueling cancer development, especially in cleansing organs like the pancreas, liver, and the list goes on.

Are you eating pink-slime-ammonia burgers? Are you eating an industrial chemical that is allowed to be “classified as a processing agent” and not listed on labels, and just how long does it take to get cancer this way? Learn more about this well-kept secret.

#2) Since most conventional meat contains bleach, why isn’t it white? The US meat industry uses nitrates for the red “color trick” that makes you sick
What’s your poison, a steak or a burger? Does it look real fresh at the butcher’s station at your favorite grocer, just that right, distinctive tint of red? Is it turning a little brown in the package now? Does it even matter?

Carnivores know the distinctive color of bacon and hot dogs. It looks like that “healthy flush of just-slaughtered meat,” but processed meat sold in stores was slaughtered long ago, then bleached to kill bacteria, so what happened?

Nitrates and Nitrites are additives that increase meat’s shelf life but shorten human life. It’s that simple.

Nitrates give meats that “Junk Science” high salt content flavor, and most carnivores are just plain addicted. Don’t say bacon three times in a row and ring a bell or Pavlov’s dogs (all the carnivorous humans) will start salivating!

Pay close attention, meat eaters, to what it is your organs are consuming.

#3) Hormones given to cows to make them fatter cause cancer in ALL animals, including those who consume them
In the United States of America, two out of every three cattle are pumped full of hormones because it makes the meat industry more money. Period. The only problem is that rates of breast and prostate cancer are skyrocketing correspondingly.

Hormones like progesterone, oestradiol, verall and zeranol disrupt the human body’s natural balance, causing more than one kind of biological “effect.” Much less European women are afflicted with breast cancer than US, as the EU (European Union) bans these sex hormones that speed up the maturity of cattle and “fatten them up.”

Children are particularly sensitive to sudden growth or breast development at levels that can rarely be detected in any laboratory. Of course, the United States has tried to coerce this Union of countries into accepting this hormone-laden meat, but the ban has not been lifted. Sounds like common sense is being used by the EU.

#4) Antibiotics are highly overused in cow, turkeys, pigs and chickens to stave off infections – how many are YOU getting from THAT?
Why in the world are so many people becoming immune to antibiotics and more vulnerable to infectious diseases and infections from surgery and hospital bacteria, viruses and Superbugs?

The answer is that most antibiotics sold and utilized in America are inside animals at the confined animals feeding operations that fuel the meat and dairy industries.

So what is a Superbug? A Superbug is an incredibly dangerous infection from deadly bacteria that the World Health Organization, W.H.O., calls “one of the three greatest threats to human health.”

All known antibiotics are useless in treating certain ones, like the CRE, which rose out of the systematic ABUSE of antibiotics by doctors and also factory farms (CAFOs) that fuel the fast food industries and chain, corporate restaurants.

Flu season is upon us. Prevention is the key, but if a virus threatens your health, quick action with natural vitamins, supplements, and herbs can stop that virus in its tracks. How many of these herbs, vitamins, and anti-virals are on hand if you need them?

Vitamins
Vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin C are all vital nutrients for the immune system, and are all known to help prevent help fight viruses. In particular, vitamin C is well known for it’s virus fighting properties, but if you take high doses of vitamin C to fight a virus, you should not stop taking it abruptly-taper off.

Zinc and Selenium
Zinc has been proven to be effective against the common cold and to be effective as a topical treatment for herpes sores. It is believed to be effective due to preventing replication of the virus. The immune system needs selenium to work properly and to build up the white blood cell count.

CoQ10
CoQ10 supplementation has been shown to significantly enhance the immune system.

Probiotics
Probiotics are always helpful in maintaining gut health, especially when the body is under a viral attack that involves the digestive system. Probiotic foods and drinks without added sugar can help maintain a healthy balance of bacteria. Speaking of probiotics, a healthy intestinal tract is absolutely imperative for a strong immune system. See the first source below for more.

Garlic
Garlic is anti-viral, anti-fungal, and antibacterial. You can take garlic in a tonic or, if you can handle it, chew raw garlic. It not only will help fight the virus, it will help kill any secondary infections trying to take root.

Echinacea
Echinacea not only supports the immune system, it also has been proven to reduce the severity and duration of viral infections.

Colloidal Silver
Colloidal silver is believed to interfere with the enzymes that allow viruses (bacteria and fungi as well) to utilize oxygen.

Elderberry
A double blind trial showed elderberry extract’s ability to reduce symptoms of influenza and speed recovery. It also showed elderberry’s ability to enhance immune response with higher levels of antibodies in the blood. It is believed to inhibit a virus’s ability to penetrate healthy cells and protect cells with powerful antioxidants. Elderberry has also been shown to inhibit replication in four strains of herpes viruses and reduce ineffectivity of HIV strains.

Green Tea
The flavanoids in green tea are believed to fight viral infections by preventing the virus from entering host cells and by inhibiting replication.

Olive Leaf Extract
Though double blind clinical trials are needed, olive leaf extract has been shown to inhibit replication of viruses. In one study, 115 of 119 patients had a full and rapid recovery from respiratory tract infections while 120 of 172 had a full and rapid recovery from viral skin infections such as herpes.

Pau d’Arco
Pau d’arco has been used in indigenous medicine for generations. One of its compounds, lapachol, has proven effective against various viruses, including influenza, herpes simplex types I and II, and polio virus. It is believed to inhibit replication.

Liquorice Root
Studies have shown that glycyrrhizin, a compound found in liquorice root was more effective in fighting samples of coronavirus from SARS patients than four antiviral drugs. It reduces viral replication, cell absorption, and the virus’s ability to penetrate cells. It is also being used to treat HIV.

St John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort has been proven effective against influenza, herpes simplex, and HIV.

Remember that the best defense is a good offense. A healthy diet based on nutrient dense foods, exercise to move your lymph (more on lymph), and aid your immune system, as well as good quality sleep will build a strong, healthy immune system. A strong immune system will fight off viruses without you even knowing the battle ever took place.

Britain’s health secretary is warning that the Ebola virus will arrive in his country by Christmas, as he announced a new initiative to begin screening passengers for the deadly virus at London’s Heathrow Airport.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said that passengers from at-risk countries will have temperatures taken, complete a risk questionnaire and have all of their contact details taken by government health screeners. Hunt said screening at the Gatwick Airport and at Eurostar terminals would begin within days, adding that contingency plans are in place to expand the screening to additional airports at Birmingham and Manchester if the threat worsens.

Britain’s Telegraph newspaper reported that Hunt believes that there will be a “handful” of cases in Britain by the holidays:

When pressed by Andy Burnham, the shadow Health Secretary, Mr Hunt said it was unlikely that cases would reach double figures, but admitted that the situation may change.

Speaking in the Commons, he told MPs that the public health risk in the UK “remains low” and a great deal of planning has gone into dealing with potential Ebola patients.

He added that “we are one of the best and most prepared countries in the world” in the event of an outbreak.

‘You are the best of our country’

That said, Hunt went on to warn that screening would only identify about 9 in 10 people at risk because there was no way of screening passengers arriving from infected countries by indirect routes.

As of this writing, the Ebola outbreak has claimed around 4,500 lives; there have been more than 8,900 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of the deadly virus in seven countries.

Hunt also paid tribute to the scores of British health workers who have gone to the affected areas to help combat the disease. “You are the best of our country,” he said, adding that predicting the exact number of cases was “genuinely very difficult.” He did say, however, that he did not expect cases to reach double digits in Britain over the next three months.

In recent weeks, the British government had opted not to begin screening, but that quickly changed after watching the situation deteriorate significantly in the West African nations currently grappling to control the outbreak.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has said that “vigorous steps” are being initiated to prevent the disease from reaching the United Kingdom, and he has defended government plans to begin screening measures at two of the UK’s largest airports.

‘We’re doing more than almost any other country’

Cameron also said that Britain was doing more than nearly every other country to help contain the disease and eradicate it in West Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the epidemic is now the “most severe acute health emergency in modern times,” as the number of new cases of the disease is “rising exponentially” in the three hardest-hit countries — Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Talking to reporters in Portsmouth, Hampshire, Cameron said screening at the Heathrow and Gatwick airports would consist of more than just filling out forms. He said it would incorporate “taking temperatures and identifying symptoms.”

“There are no direct flights from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the countries affected most, but people are coming in indirectly,” he said. “We should be trying our best to screen them and that will begin this week.”

He added: “Not only are we doing more than almost any other country in the world to deal with this problem at source in Sierra Leone and other countries, we are also taking very vigorous steps here to make sure we keep our people safe.”

In addition, Hunt said that call handlers to the National Health Service’s 111 line would be asking callers with potential symptoms to reveal recent travel history to see if they had visited West Africa.

The world’s greatest healing systems have long revered the medicinal power of edible mushrooms. In ancient Chinese and Indian medicine, for instance, mushrooms were often prescribed to individuals suffering from a wide range of conditions ranging from fatigue to serious degenerative diseases. In Europe, mushrooms were beloved for their significant healing properties, which were often attributed to their dense concentrations of essential nutrients.

As drug-based medicine continued to soar in popularity in the 20th century, however, many cultures began to forget about the healing plants that had safeguarded their ancestors’ health for centuries. This is unfortunate, since ongoing research continues to show that some mushrooms really are disease-fighting powerhouses. The three mushrooms listed below are proven to be especially effective at treating certain conditions.

Turkey tail: cancer
Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) is a bracket fungi whose beautiful colors and patterns resemble the tail feathers of a turkey. It grows worldwide, and — being a beneficial decomposer of dead wood — often forms in huge colonies on the wounds of living and dead trees.

Turkey tail is best-known for its cancer-fighting properties. One study published in ISRN Oncology in 2012, for instance, found that taking up to 9 grams of turkey tail extract per day could improve the immune status of patients with breast cancer. Another study, published one year later in the International Journal of Molecular Medicine, discovered that turkey tail — when combined with reishi, another popular disease-fighting mushroom — could induce apoptosis in leukemia cells.

Lion’s mane: cognitive dysfunction
Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a globular-shaped fungus that is easily identified by its cascading teeth-like spines, from which white spores emerge. In fact, the mushroom is also called the “pom-pom blanc” since it resembles the white poms-poms used by cheerleaders.

Lion’s mane’s positive effects on brain function are well-recorded. For example, a study published in Biomedical Research in August 2010 found that subjects who took a lion’s mane supplement for four weeks demonstrated reduced depression and anxiety compared to the placebo group. A review published in Critical Reviews in Biotechnology in March 2014 also listed lion’s mane as one of the mushrooms that can prevent age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Chaga: metabolic disorders
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a hard and woody fungus that thrives in the coldest parts of Europe, especially Russia. Despite looking like a cracked piece of charcoal, chaga is a mushroom of considerable medicinal value, and it enjoys a long and rich association with European folklore.

While extremely versatile as a disease fighter, chaga seems to specialize in treating metabolic disorders such as diabetes due to its high concentrations of secondary metabolites (intermediates and products of metabolism). One study published in Phytotherapy Research in February 2014, for instance, found that a melanin complex of chaga “exerts antihyperglycemic and beneficial lipid-metabolic effects, making it a candidate for promising antidiabetic agent.” Research featured in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in June 2008 also showed that chaga could lower glucose levels and prevent the oxidative degradation of lipids in diabetic mice. (6)

If you feel that your health could use a boost, or you need a little extra care, a healing soak is one of the best ways to regain equilibrium, shed toxins and calm the mind. A perfect medium for children and adults alike, therapeutic baths not only help you relax but also gently balance the system.

View any health spa menu and you will usually find an array of different healing soaks. From weight loss to detoxification and anti-aging, the variety available is impressive. All the same, enjoying a spa treatment more than once every so often is usually too costly for the average person. This is where the beauty of creating a restorative bath at home comes in. For pennies on the dollar, we can detoxify and alleviate health complaints, while easing tension and stress. It’s easier than you may think, yet the benefits are vast.

Recipes for health
As luck would have it, we need not travel extravagant distances, or spend great amounts of money, to reap the benefits of a therapeutic bath — it’s simple enough to recreate a healing spa experience in the privacy of our own home. Have a look at the following five examples for inspiration.

Clay
Gently pulling heavy metals from the body, clay is one of the best detoxifying substances available. Eytons’ Earth recommends 5 pounds of green desert calcium bentonite, Pascalite, Inland Sea or Redmond clay per bath. Fill the tub halfway with very hot water and sprinkle the clay evenly over the surface to avoid clumping. Allow to settle for 10-20 minutes. Next, add enough hot water so that the temperature is comfortable and you are able to submerge your entire body from the neck down. In the beginning, soak for 10-15 minutes. Thereafter, gradually increase the time of each bath until you’re able to comfortably soak for up to two hours. As long as your plumbing is in good condition, and the clay is completely aqueous when drained, clogging shouldn’t be an issue.

Seaweed
Rich in minerals and helpful in supporting metabolism and hormonal balance, along with the adrenal glands and thyroid, seaweed is an excellent ingredient for a therapeutic bath. Add 4 ounces of dried seaweed (kelp and dulse are good options) to a large tea ball or muslin bag. Secure the container so seaweed doesn’t clog the drain and submerge in 8 cups of boiling water. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, remove from heat and pour entire contents into the bathtub. Add additional hot water and soak until the gelatinous film from the seaweed completely dissolves from your skin.

Additionally, sodium bicarbonate, sea salt and magnesium sulfate are also beneficial. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) softens the skin and buffers the effects of radiation — dissolve 4 cups in warm water for each soak.

Sea salt can be used by itself to detoxify and ground the body, or in combination with either clay or sodium bicarbonate. Celtic or Himalayan pink salt are two excellent choices. Use 1-2 cups per bath. Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) is also detoxifying and has the added benefit of easing muscle and joint pain. Three cups dissolved in hot water is sufficient. As a general rule of thumb, soak for at least 20 minutes.

A few tips for keeping it safe
To neutralize chlorine in your bath water, add two teaspoons of vitamin C. Borax is helpful for eliminating fluoride — use 1-3 tablespoons per bath. Additionally, choose seaweed from sources that are free from contaminants and tested for heavy metals. Lastly, aim for a minimum of two detoxifying baths per week.